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Nov 26, 2025
A pool heater is one of the most important pieces of hardware for any pool in the northern USA. If your family loves swimming, you’ll want to use your pool as often as possible – this includes those chilly early-spring and autumn days. In Delaware, the daily average low for April is 44 degrees. Even if it’s 60 degrees in the daytime, you’ll want a heater to warm that chilly water. Pool heaters are also large investments. It’s important to choose the correct heater for your pool’s volume and water chemistry. It’s equally important that it is installed correctly. This guide will provide helpful information as you start the search for the best pool heater!
When buying a water heater, it’s a good idea to shop with trusted, long-standing water heater brands. Visit these websites to see what they have to offer.
There are typically two pool heater varieties to choose from. Most homeowners either own a pool heater or a heat pump. A pool heater runs off either gas or solar power. A gas heater will be the most expensive given the related utilities costs, but it will heat your pool quickly and effectively. Solar heaters usually cannot draw enough power to heat an entire pool, and are usually reserved for pools in warm states.The other option, a pool heat pump, uses ambient air to heat the pool. While this leads to great efficiency, heat pumps do not work well (or hardly at all) once the air temperature drops under 50 degrees. Otherwise, once activated, they take a good deal of time to heat an entire pool.Family Pool Maintenance recommends gas heaters as the fastest heating product for pools with spas attached especially. For your regular pools without attached spas it will depend on your sun exposure and pool type but be sure the Family Pool Maintenance team will help you decide what you need for your Delaware pool.
When looking for the best pool heater, you’ll want to ask, “What’s the best pool heater for me?” You’ll want to match the pool heater with your pool, budget, and target environmental impact. Family Pool Maintenance recommends focusing on three major areas.
It’s time to use your middle school geometry knowledge. Determine the volume of your pool by multiplying length by width by height. After determining the volume of your pool in gallons, follow this general guideline for heat pump BTUs:Pool Volume (Gal.)Heat Output (BTU)10,00050,00015,00090,00020,000120,00025,000140,000When looking at heater models, make sure it has the correct gas capacity. Also it’s a good rule of thumb to size up the heater if your pool is near the top of the size difference on the chart above.
How much gas does your heater use? This is an important factor in determining the best pool heater. First, what is your annual utilities budget? Second, how environmentally friendly do you want to be? Efficiency is measured based on BTU (British thermal unit) output. How much heat is produced given fuel input? This is the question heater efficiency answers. For gas pool heaters, the efficiency is recorded as a percentage. A higher percentage means a more efficient heater. The chart below shows your annual savings using a 95% efficient heater compared to a lower-efficiency heater (Assuming a base $1000 in annual utilities costs).CURRENT HTR EFFCOST W/ 95%ANNUAL SAVINGS55%$580$42060%$630$37065%$685$31570%$735$26575%$790$21080%$840$160
Raypak's Electronic Ignition Heater is the perfect choice to help get more enjoyment out of your pool. It is a quality heater that features temperature and flow control of the exchanger to minimize condensation. This heater offers Stainless steel burners, and textured powder coat finish. Cabinet and the internals are corrosion and rust resistant; it offers powder coating, polymer headers, and an all copper-fin-tube heat exchanger. Pros
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As easy to use as your home heating system, plus, user-friendly LCD display and troubleshoot icons make system operation and monitoring a snap. The compact design and super-quiet operation won’t intrude on your poolside leisure time. Pros
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For indoor or outdoor installations on pools and spas, the Sta-Rite SR200NA features an LED temperature readout with dual thermostat controls, temperature safety lockout, and 6-position control panel. PMG burner technology requires no outdoor draft hood. Proven Dura-Glas rust-proof construction with plastic manifold and PVC union connections. Pros
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While Family Pool Maintenance recommends a gas heater for most Tri-state pools, you may decide to go with a heat hump. Here are our top recommendations that you can compare and contrast for your own needs.
With lower energy requirements than natural gas and propane heaters, the Hayward heat pump family of products is an economical temperature control solution optimized for a variety of pool sizes. These provide ideal water temperatures, even under harsh conditions. Pros
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The industry’s first heat pump charged with non-ozone depleting refrigerant, R410A. This is a heat-only, 230V, 60 Hz, single-phase, high performance pool heat pump. It has a 100%, extra long-life, titanium heat exchanger that is corrosion-free and designed for maximum performance in all weather conditions. Its corrosion- and deterioration-resistant composite cabinet also withstands pool chemicals and harsh environments. Pros
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The Raypak heat pump is the only heat pump on the market with a steel case. Avoid expensive replacements and make a Raypak the last heat pump you need to buy. Its compact design features a durable steel case, made to withstand common corrosion and direct impact. Pros
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For the most accurate pricing – including product, shipping, and installation – contact Family Pool Maintenance. We promise affordable, competitive rates and worry-free setup. Just give us a call, describe your pool, and we will let you know which pool heater is best for you!
